AT504853A2 - ORGANIC CONNECTIONS - Google Patents

Description

* ·· ···· ····· • · · · 1 ··················································

Organic compounds \

The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor agonist. Sphingosine 1-phosphate (hereinafter called "S1P") is a natural serum lipid. There are currently 8 known S1P receptors, namely S1P1 to S1P8. S1P receptor agonists have accelerating lymphocyte targeting properties. S1P receptor agonists are immunomodulatory compounds that cause lymphopenia resulting from a preferably reversible redistribution of lymphocytes from the circulation to secondary lymphoid tissue, resulting in generalized immunosuppression. Native cells are retained, CD4 and CD8 T cells and B cells from the blood are stimulated to migrate into the lymph nodes (LN) and Peyer's plaques (PP), and therefore the infiltration of cells into transplanted organs is inhibited.

The various known S1P receptor agonists exhibit structural similarities leading to related problems in providing a suitable formulation. In particular, there is a need for a formulation containing an S1P receptor agonist which is well adapted for oral administration in a solid form, for example as a tablet or capsule.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a solid pharmaceutical composition suitable for oral administration comprising an S1P receptor agonist and a sugar alcohol.

It has surprisingly been found that solid compositions comprising a sugar alcohol provide formulations that are well suited for oral administration of S1P receptor agonists. These compositions provide a convenient means for systemic administration of S1P receptor agonists, do not suffer from the disadvantages of liquid formulations for injection or oral use, and have good physicochemical and storage properties. In particular, the compositions of the present invention can show a high degree of uniformity of distribution of the S1P receptor agonist in the composition as well as high stability. The compositions of the invention can be made on automated high speed equipment and thus do not require manual encapsulation.

The S1P receptor agonists are typically sphingosine analogs, such as 2-substituted-2-aminopropane-1,3-diol or 2-aminopropanol derivatives. Examples of suitable S1P receptor agonists are, for example

Compounds as described in EP 0 627 406 A1, for example a compound of the formula I QH2OR3 R4R5N'-ch2or2 R-

I

- have in the chain a bond or a heteroatom selected from a double bond, a triple bond, O, S, NR6, wherein R6 is H, alkyl, aralkyl, acyl or alkoxycarbonyl, and carbonyl, and / or - having as substituent alkoxy, alkenyloxy, alkynyloxy, aralkyloxy, acyl, alkylamino, alkylthio, acylamino, alkoxycarbonyl, alkoxycarbonylamino, acyloxy, alkylcarbamoyl, nitro, halogen, amino, hydroxyimino, hydroxy or carboxy, or

Ri is - a phenylalkyl in which alkyl is a straight or branched C 6 -C 20 carbon chain, or - a phenylalkyl in which alkyl is a straight or branched CrC30 carbon chain in which the phenylalkyl is substituted by - a straight or branched chain C2o carbon chain which is optionally substituted by halogen, - a straight or branched C6-C20 alkoxy chain which is optionally substituted by halogen, - a straight or branched C6-C20 alkenyloxy, - phenylalkoxy, halophenylalkoxy, phenylalkoxyalkyl, phenoxyalkoxy or phenoxyalkyl, - cycloalkylalkyl substituted by C 6 -C 20 alkyl, heteroaryl alkyl substituted by Ce-C 20 alkyl, heterocyclic C 6 -C 20 alkyl or heterocyclic alkyl substituted by C 2 -C 20 alkyl, and wherein the alkyl moiety has - in the carbon chain is a bond or a heteroatom selected from a double bond, a triple bond, O, S, sulfinyl, sulfonyl or the like r NR6, wherein R6 is as defined above, and - as a substituent alkoxy, alkenyloxy, alkynyloxy, aralkyloxy, acyl, alkylamino, alkylthio, acylamino, alkoxycarbonyl, alkoxycarbonylamino, acyloxy, alkylcarbamoyl, nitro, halogen, amino, hydroxy or carboxy and each of R 2, R 3, R 4 and R 5 is independently H, C 1 -C 4 alkyl or acyl, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, compounds as defined in EP 1 002 792 A1, for example a compound of

Formula II

0 II

II ·· ····

Where m is from 1 to 9 and R '2, $ 3, Τ, |, Η, Η, j, j, y are each independently H, alkyl or acyl or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,

Compounds as described in EP 0 778 263 A1, for example a compound of formula III NRM, R " 2 &submin; W-C-Z, < 1 $ m

(CH 2 L, OR wherein W is H, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl or C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, unsubstituted or OH-substituted phenyl, R " 40 (CH 2) n or C 1 -C 6 alkyl substituted with 1 to 3 substituents is selected from the group consisting of halogen, C3-Ce cycloalkyl, phenyl and phenyl which is substituted by OH, X is H or unsubstituted or substituted straight-chain alkyl having a number p of carbon atoms or unsubstituted or substituted straight-chain alkoxy a number (p-1) of carbon atoms, for example, substituted with 1 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of C 1 -C 6 alkyl, OH, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, acyloxy, amino, C 1 -C 6 alkylamino, acylamino, oxo, halogen Ci-Ce-alkyl, halogen, unsubstituted phenyl and phenyl which is substituted with 1 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of Ct-Ce alkyl, OH, Gf-Ce alkoxy, acyl, acyloxy, amino, CrCe Alkylamino, acylamino, haloCrCe-al kyl and halogen, Y is H, Ci-C6 alkyl, OH, CrC6 alkoxy, acyl, acyloxy, amino, CrC6 alkylamino, acylamino, halo-Ct-Ce-alkyl or halogen, Z2 is a single bond or a straight-chain alkylene having a Number q is on carbon atoms, p and q are each independently an integer of 1 to 20, provided that 6 < p + q < 23, m 'is 1,2 or 3, n is 2 or 3, R " i, R ", R " 3 and R " 4 are each independently H, C 1 -C 4 alkyl or acyl, or a pharmaceutically acceptable one Salt thereof, - compounds described in WO 02/18395 A, for example a compound of the formula IVa or IVb? H2R3e 1β? H2R3b% R = O (R2a) 2N-, c-CH2-xr_p = o CH, Rib or CH, Mb

································································································································································································································································ tftfcei the group is unsubstituted or substituted by 1 to 4 halogens, na is 1 or 2, R1s is H or C1-C4 alkyl, wherein alkyl is unsubstituted or substituted by halogen, Ria is H, OH, CrC4 alkyl or - O is (C 1 -C 4 alkyl) wherein alkyl is unsubstituted or substituted with 1 to 3 halogens, R 1b is H, OH or C 1 -C 4 alkyl wherein alkyl is unsubstituted or substituted by halogen, R 2a is selected from H or C 1 -C 4 alkyl, wherein alkyl unsubstituted or substituted by halogen, R 3a represents H, OH, halogen or -O (C 1 -C 4 alkyl) wherein alkyl is unsubstituted or substituted by halogen, R 3b represents H, OH, halogen, C 1 -C 4 alkyl, wherein alkyl is unsubstituted or is substituted by hydroxy, or is 0-CrC4-alkyl, wherein alkyl is unsubstituted or substituted by halogen, Ya is -CH2-, - C (O) -, -CH (OH) -, C (= NOH), O or S and R4a is C4-C14 alkyl or C4-C14 alkenyl, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof,

Compounds as described in WO 02/076995 A, for example a compound of the formula V * 40 * 30 * * ic * c

(CH 2) mc-XcR 2c V in which mc is 1, 2 or 3,

Xc is O or a direct bond, R1C is H, C1C6 alkyl optionally substituted with OH, acyl, halo, C3-C10 cycloalkyl, phenyl or hydroxyphenylene; C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl or phenyl; R2C is optionally substituted by OH, R2C is / OR * ° * ec o wherein Rsc is H or C1-C4 alkyl optionally substituted with 1, 2 or 3 halogen atoms and R6c is H or C1-4alkyl optionally substituted with Halogen is substituted,

Rac and R4C are each independently H, C1-C4 alkyl optionally substituted with halogen or acyl and

R c is C 13 -C 20 alkyl which optionally has in the chain an oxygen atom and which is optionally substituted by nitro, halogen, amino, hydroxy or carboxy, or a radical of the formula (a)

- (CH ····················································································································································································································· "

R 8c wherein R 7C is H, C 1 -C 4 alkyl or C 1 -C 4 alkoxy and R 8C is substituted C 1 -C 20 alkanoyl, phenyl C 1 -C 14 alkyl, wherein the C 1 -C 14 alkyl is optionally substituted by halogen or OH Cycloalkyl-CrCi4-alkoxy or phenyl-CrCi4-alkoxy, wherein the cycloalkyl or phenyl ring is optionally substituted by halogen, C1-C4 alkyl and / or C1-C4 alkoxy, for phenyl-CrCi4-alkoxy-CrCi4-alkyl, phenoxy-Ci -C 1-4 -alkoxy or phenoxy-C 1 -C 4 -alkyl,

Rc is a radical of formula (a) wherein R 8c is C 1 -C 14 alkoxy when Ric is C 1 -C 4 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl or C 2 -C 6 alkynyl, or a compound of formula VI

wherein nx is 2, 3 or 4, R 1x is H, C 1 -C 6 alkyl optionally substituted with OH, acyl, halo, cycloalkyl, phenyl or hydroxyphenylene, for C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyl or phenyl optionally substituted with OH, R2 * is H, C1-C4 alkyl or acyl, each of R3X and R4x independently being H or C1-C4 alkyl optionally substituted with halogen or acyl, R5x is H, C1 C4 is alkyl or C1-C4 alkoxy and R6x is C1-C20 alkanoyl which is substituted by cycloalkyl, cycloalkyl-Ci-Ci4-alkoxy, wherein the cycloalkyl optionally substituted with halogen, CrC4 alkyl and / or Ci-C4 alkoxy is, for phenyl-Ci-Ci4-alkoxy, wherein the phenyl ring is optionally substituted by halogen, CrC4 alkyl and / or CrC4 alkoxy, R6x is also C4-Ci4 alkoxy, when R-ix is C2-C4 alkyl, with OH, or for pentyloxy or hexyloxy, when Rix is C 1 -C 4 alkyl, with the proviso that R 6x is other than Phenylbutyleneoxy is when either R5x is H or R1x is methyl, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, - compounds, as described in WO 02/06268 A1, for example a compound

of Formula VII • • •······ • ···· ·· • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • · • • • • RSd, R7d

tv-A

R 4d NRidR2d 5d

VII R3d0 'wherein each of Rw and R2 (i is independently H or an amino protecting group, R3d is hydrogen, a hydroxy-protecting group or a radical of the following formula -P <0R> II 0Red R4d is lower alkyl, nd is an integer of 1 to 6,

Xd is ethylene, vinylene, ethynylene, a group of the formula -D-CH 2 - (wherein D is carbonyl, -CH (OH) -, O, S or N), aryl or aryl substituted with up to 3 substituents is selected from a group as defined later,

Yd is a single bond, CrC10 alkylene, CrClio alkylene substituted with up to three substituents selected from groups a and b, C1-C10 alkylene with 0 or S in the middle or at the end of the carbon chain, or C1- C10 alkylene with O or S in the middle or at the end of the carbon chain substituted with up to 3 substituents selected from groups a and b, RSd is hydrogen, cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocycle, cycloalkyl, substituted with up to 3 substituents selected from groups a and b, aryl substituted with up to 3 substituents selected from groups a and b or a heterocycle substituted with up to 3 substituents, which are selected from the groups a and b, R6d and R7d are each independently H or a substituent selected from the group a,

Red and Rgd are each independently H or C1-C4 alkyl which is optionally substituted by halogen, the &lt; Group a &gt; for halogen, lower alkyl, haloloweralkyl, loweralkoxy, loweralkylthio, carboxyl, loweralkoxycarbonyl, hydroxy, loweraliphatic acyl, amino, mono-lower alkylamino, diloweralkylamino, loweraliphatic acylamino, cyano or nitro diest © ifypp «lb &gt; is cycloalkyl, aryl, or a heterocycle each optionally substituted with up to three substituents selected from group a, provided that when R5d is hydrogen, then Yd is a group having only single bonds and linear C1 C10 alkylene, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof,

x -Y - R Se

Wherein Rie, R 2e, Rae. R · * »Rse. Ree, R7e, ne, Xe and Ye as described in JP 14316985, or a pharmacologically acceptable salt or ester thereof,

Compounds as described in WO 03/29184 A and WO 03/29205 A, for example compounds of the formula IX

R

Wherein Xf is O or S and Rk, R2f, Rar and nf are as described in WO 03/29184 A and WO 03/29205 A, wherein R4f and R5f are each independently H or a radical of the following formula

In which R 1 and R 1 'are each independently H or C 1 -C 4 -alkyl which is optionally substituted by halogen, for example 2-amino-2- [4- (3-benzyloxyphenoxy) -2-chlorophenyl] propyl-1,3- propanediol or 2-amino-2- [4- (benzyloxyphenylthio) -2-chlorophenyl] propyl-1,3-propanediol, or a pharmacological salt thereof,

Compounds as described in WO 03/062252 A1, for example a compound of the formula X.

wherein

X

Ar is phenyl or naphthyl, and independently stands for 0 or 1, A is selected from COOH, P03H2. PO 2 H, SO 3 H, PO (C 1 -C 3 alkyl) OH and 1H-tetrazol-5-yl, wherein R 1g and R 2g are each independently H, halo, OH, COOH or C 1 -C 4 alkyl optionally substituted with halogen, R 3g is H or C1-C4 alkyl which is optionally substituted by halogen or OH, each R4g is independently halogen or C1-C4 alkyl optionally substituted with halogen, or CrC3 alkoxy and Rg and M is one of each of B and C in WO 03/062252 A1 indicated meaning,

- Compounds, as described in WO 03/062248 A2, for example a compound of formula XI

A

R31 i ^ 4h) o-4

M

XI in which Ar is phenyl or naphthyl, n is 2, 3 or 4, A is COOH, 1H-tetrazol-5-yl, P03H2, PO2H2i -SO3H or PO (R5h) OH, in which R5h is selected from C1- C4 alkyl, hydroxyCyc4alkyl, phenylCoCrC3alkoxy and -CH (OH) -phenyl wherein the phenyl or phenyl radical is optionally substituted; R1h and R2h are each independently H, halo, OH, COOH or optionally halogen-substituted Ci-C6 alkyl or phenyl, R3h is H or C1-C4 alkyl which is optionally substituted with halogen and / or OH, each R *, independently for halogen, OH, COOH, C1-C4 alkyl , S (O) is 0. or C 2 -C 1 -C 3 alkyl, C 1 -C 3 alkoxy, C 3 -C 6 cycloalkoxy, aryl or aralkoxy, wherein the alkyl moieties may be optionally substituted with 1 to 3 halogens and R 0 and M are each one of each of B and C have meanings given in WO 03/062248 A2.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, an S1P receptor agonist for use in a combination according to the invention may also be a selective S1P1 receptor, for example a compound which has a selectivity for the S1P1 receptor over the S1P3 receptor of at least a factor of 20, for example a factor of 100, 500 , 1000 or 2000, as determined by the ratio of EC for the S1P1 receptor to EC50 for the S1P3 receptor, as evaluated in a ^ S-GTPyS binding assay, where the compound is an EC50 for binding to the S1P1 receptor of 100 nM or less, as evaluated by the 35S-GTPyS binding assay. Representative S1P1 receptor agonists are, for example, the compounds listed in WO 03/061567 A, which are hereby introduced, for example a compound of the formula

XIII

In any event, when patents are cited, the content relating to the compounds is incorporated in the present invention.

Acyl may be a radical RyCO-, where Ry is C1-C6 alkyl, C3-C6 cycloalkyl, phenyl or phenyl-Ci-C4-alkyl. Unless otherwise indicated, alkyl, alkoxy, alkenyl or alkynyl may be straight or branched.

When substituted in the compounds of formula I, the carbon chain shown as Ri is preferably substituted by halogen, nitro, amino, hydroxy or carboxy. When the carbon chain is interrupted by an optionally substituted phenylene, the carbon chain is preferably unsubstituted. When the phenylene radical is substituted, it is preferably substituted by halogen, nitro, amino, methoxy, hydroxy or carboxy.

Preferred compounds of formula I are those wherein Ri is C13-C20 alkyl, optionally substituted by nitro, halo, amino, hydroxy or carboxy and more preferably those wherein Ri is phenylalkyl substituted by a C6-C14 alkyl chain optionally substituted by halogen and the alkyl radical is a C 1 -C 6 alkyl, optionally substituted by hydroxy. More preferably Ri is phenyl-C 1 -C 6 -alkyl which is substituted on the phenyl by a straight or branched, preferably straight C 6 -C 14 -alkyl chain. The CrCl4 alkyl chain can be in ortho, meta or para, preferably in para.

Preferably, each R2 to Rs is H.

A preferred compound of formula I is 2-amino-2-tetradecyl-1,3-propanediol. A particularly preferred S1P receptor agonist of formula I is ΠΎ720, that is 2-amino-2- [2- (4-octylphenyl) ethyl] propane-1,3-diol in free form or in pharmaceutically acceptable salt form (hereinafter referred to as Compound A), for example the hydrochloride salt, as shown below: ······ ♦ · · ···· ························································

• 4 9 9 HO-, OH

HCl

A preferred compound of the formula II is that in which R'2 to R'5 is in each case H and m is 4, that is to say 2-amino-2- {2- [4- (1-oxo-5-phenylpentyl) phenyl] ethyl} propane-1,3-diol in free form or in pharmaceutically acceptable salt form (hereinafter referred to as compound B), for example the hydrochloride.

A preferred compound of formula III is one wherein W is CH 3, R'S to R &quot; 3 each is H, Z 2 is ethylene, X is heptyloxy and Y is H, that is 2-amino-4- (4 -heptyloxyphenyl) -2-methylbutanol in free form or in pharmaceutically acceptable salt form (hereinafter referred to as compound C), for example the hydrochloride. The R-enantiomer is particularly preferred.

A preferred compound of formula IVa is the FTY720 phosphate (R2a is H, Rsa is OH, Xa is O, Ria and R1b are OH). A preferred compound of formula IVb is the compound C-phosphate (R2a is H, R3b is OH, Xa is O, R1a and R1b are OH, Ya is O and R4a is heptyl). A preferred compound of the formula V is the compound B-phosphate.

A preferred compound of formula V is phosphoric acid mono [(R) -2-amino-2-methyl-4- (4-pentyloxyphenyl) butyl] ester.

A preferred compound of formula VIII is (2R) -2-amino-4- [3- (4-cyclohexyloxy-butyl) benzo [b] thien-6-yl] -2-methylbutan-1-ol.

When the compounds of formulas I to XIII have one or more asymmetric centers in the molecule, the various optical isomers, as well as the racemates, diastereomers and mixtures thereof are included.

Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of formulas I to XIII include salts with inorganic acids such as hydrochloride, hydrobromide and sulfate, salts with organic acids such as the salts acetate, fumarate, maleate, benzoate, citrate, malate, methanesulfonate and benzenesulfonate or suitably salts with metals such as sodium, potassium, calcium and aluminum, salts with amines such as triethylamine and salts with dibasic amino acids such as lysine. The compounds and salts of the present invention include the hydrate and solvate forms.

The binding to S1P receptors can be determined according to the following tests. A. Binding affinity of the S1P receptor orbital to individual human S1P receptors

Transient transfection of human S1P receptors in HEK293 cells S1P receptors and G proteins are cloned and equal amounts of 4 cDNAs for the EDG receptor; Gj-α, size and G, -y are mixed and used to transfect monolayers to HEK293 cells by the calcium phosphate precipitation method (Wigler, M., et al., Cell, 1977, 11, 223 and D. I. et al., Mol. Pharmacol 2000, 57, 753). Briefly, a DNA mixture containing 25 pg DNA and 0.25 M CaCl 2 is added to HEPES-buffered 2 mM Na 2 HPO 4. Subconfluent monolayers on HEK293 cells are poisoned with 25 mM chloroquine and the DNA precipitate is then applied to the cells. After 4 hours, the monolayers are washed with phosphate buffered saline and re-mixed with medium (90% 1: 1 Dulbecco's Modified Essential Medium (DMEM): F-12 + 10% fetal bovine serum). The cells are harvested on ice for 48 to 72 hours after addition of the DNA by scraping in HME buffer (20 mM HEPES, 5 mM MgCl 2 I 1 mM EDTA, pH 7.4) containing 10% sucrose and destroyed by a Dounce Homogenizer , After centrifugation at 800 x g, the supernatant is diluted with HME without sucrose and centrifuged at 100,000 x g for 1 hour. The resulting pellet is homogenized again and centrifuged for a second hour at 100,000 x g. This crude membrane pellet is resuspended in HME with sucrose, aliquoted and snap frozen by immersion in liquid nitrogen. The membranes are stored at 70 ° C. The protein concentration is determined spectrophotometrically by a Bradford protein assay. GTPvS binding assay using S1P receptor / HEK293 membrane preparations

The GTPyS binding experiments are performed as described by DS. Im et al., Mol. Pharmacol. 2000, 57: 753. Ligand-mediated GTPyS binding to G proteins is measured in GTP binding buffer (50 mM HEPES, 100 mM NaCl, 10 mM MgCl 2, pH 7.5) using 25 pg of a membrane preparation of transiently transfected HEK293 cells. The ligand is added to membranes in the presence of 10 μΜ GDP and 0.1 nM ["SJGTPyS (1200 Ci / mmol) and incubated at 30 ° C for 30 minutes. Tied GTPyS is removed from unbound by Brandei Harvester (Gaithersburg, MD) and counted with a liquid scintillation counter.

The composition of the invention preferably contains 0.01 to 20% by weight of the S1P receptor agonist, more preferably 0.1 to 10% by weight, for example 0.5 to 5% by weight, based on the total weight of the formulation.

The sugar alcohol may serve as a diluent, filler or diluent and may suitably be mannitol, maltitol, inositol, xylitol or lactitol, preferably a non-hygroscopic sugar alcohol, for example mannitol (D-mannitol). A single sugar alcohol may be used, or a fl uid of one or more sugar alcohols, for example a mixture of mannitol and xylitol, for example in a ratio of 1: 1 to 4: 1.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the sugar alcohol is prepared from a spray-dried composition, such as mannitol composition, having a high specific surface area. The use of this type of mannitol composition can aid in promoting the uniform distribution of the S1P receptor agonist via the mannitol in the composition. Greater surface area can be achieved by providing a sugar alcohol, such as mannitol, which preparation is comprised of particles of smaller average size and / or a rougher surface on each particle. The use of a spray-dried sugar alcohol, for example, mannitol having, for example, an average particle size of 300 gm or less also improves the compressibility and hardness of the tablets formed from the composition.

Preferably, the single-point surface area of the sugar alcohol preparation, for example of mannitol, is 1 to 7 m 2 / g, for example 2 to 6 m 2 / g or 3 to 5 m 2 / g. The mannitol preparation may suitably have an average particle size of 100 to 300 μm, for example 150 to 250 μm and a bulk density of 0.4 to 0.6 g / ml, for example 0.45 to 0.55 g / ml. A suitable high surface area mannitol is Partek M200, commercially available from E. Merck.

The composition is preferably 75 to 99.99 weight percent of the sugar alcohol, preferably 85 to 99.9 weight percent, for example 90 to 99.5 weight percent, based on the total weight of the composition.

The composition further comprises a lubricant. Suitable lubricants include stearic acid, magnesium stearate, calcium stearate, zinc stearate, glyceryl palmitostearate, sodium stearyl fumarate, canola oil, hydrogenated vegetable oil such as hydrogenated castor oil (e.g., Cuti-na® or Lubriwax® 101), mineral oil, sodium lauryl sulfate, magnesium oxide, colloidal silica, silicone fluid, polyethylene glycol, Polyvinyl alcohol, sodium benzoate, talc, Poloxa mer or a mixture of the above-mentioned. Preferably, the lubricant comprises magnesium stearate, hydrogenated castor oil or mineral oil. Colloidal silica and polyethylene glycol are less preferred as lubricants.

The composition preferably contains 0.01 to 5 weight percent of the lubricant, more preferably 1 to 3 weight percent, for example about 2 weight percent, based on the total weight of the composition.

The composition may comprise one or more further excipients such as carriers, excipients or diluents, in particular the composition may be microcrystalline cellulose (for example Avicel®), methylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, starch (for example maize starch) or dicalcium phosphate, preferably in an amount of 0.1 to 90 weight percent, for example 1 to 30 weight percent, based on the total weight of the composition. When a binder ········ &gt; 5 · 3 ························································································ For example, microcrystalline oils, folylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose or hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, this is preferably incorporated in an amount of 1 to 8%, for example 3 to 6% by weight based on the total weight of the composition. The use of a binder increases the granular strength of the formulation, which is particularly important for fine granulations. Microcrystalline cellulose and methyl cellulose are particularly preferred when high tablet hardness and / or longer disintegration time are required. Hydroxypropyl cellulose is preferred when faster disintegration is required. Where appropriate, xylitol may also be added as an additional binder, for example in addition to microcrystalline cellulose, for example in an amount of up to 20% by weight of the sugar alcohol, for example xylitol.

In one embodiment, the composition further comprises a stabilizer, preferably glycine HCl or sodium bicarbonate. The stabilizer may be present in an amount of, for example, 0.1 to 30%, preferably 1 to 20% by weight.

The composition may be in the form of a powder, granules or pellets or a unit dosage form such as a tablet or capsule. The compositions of the present invention are well adapted for encapsulation in an orally administrable capsule shell, especially a hard gelatin shell.

Alternatively, the compositions can be compressed into tablets. The tablets may optionally be coated, for example with talc or a polysaccharide (for example cellulose) or hydroxypropylmethylcellulose coating.

When the pharmaceutical capsule is a unit dosage form, each dosage suitably contains 0.5 to 10 mg of the S1P receptor agonist.

The compositions of the invention may have good stability properties, as demonstrated by standard stability tests, for example, they have a shelf life of up to one, two or three years or more. The stability properties can be determined, for example, by measuring the decomposition products by HPLC analysis after storage for certain times at certain temperatures, for example 20 ° C, 40 ° C or 60 ° C.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention can be prepared by standard methods, for example, by conventional mixing, granulating, sugar coating, dissolving or lyophilizing methods. Methods that can be used are known in the art, for example, those described in L. Lachman et al., Theory and Practice of Industrial Pharmacy, 3rd Edition, 1986, H. Sucker et al. Pharmaceutical Technology, Thieme, 1991, Hägers Handbook of Pharmaceutical Practice, 4th Edition (Springer Verlag, 1971) and Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 13th Edition, (Mack Publ, Co., 1970) or in later editions.

In one aspect, the present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition which comprises ······································································ « (A) mixture of a S1P receptor agonist with a sugar alcohol, (b) milling and / or granulation of the protein described in (a) above. *** " and (c) mixing the ground and / or granulated mixture obtained in (b) with a lubricant.

Using this method, a preparation is obtained having a good level of content and mixing (i.e., a substantially uniform distribution of the S1P receptor agonist throughout the composition), dissolution time, and stability.

The S1P receptor agonist, for example, 2-amino-2- [2- (4-octylphenyl) ethyl] propane-1,3-diol hydrochloride may optionally be micronized and / or prescreened with, for example, a 400 to 500 μm sieve prior to step (a) to remove lumps. The mixing step (a) may suitably involve mixing the S1P receptor agonist and the sugar alcohol, for example mannitol, in a suitable blender or mixer, for example 10 to 400 revolutions.

The process can be carried out by mixing the components. In this embodiment, the milling step (b) may suitably involve the passage of the mixture obtained in (a) through a sieve, which preferably has a mesh size of 400 to 500 μm. Process step (a) may comprise mixing the entire amount of the S1P receptor agonist first with a small amount of the sugar alcohol, for example, from 5 to 25 percent by weight of the total weight of the sugar alcohol to form a premix. Subsequently, the remaining amount of sugar alcohol is added to the premix. The step (a) may also comprise the addition step of a binder solution to the mixture, for example methyl cellulose and / or xylitol, such as an aqueous solution thereof. Alternatively, the binder is added to the dry mixture and water is added to the granulation step.

The milled mixture obtained in (b) may optionally be mixed one or more times before being mixed with the lubricant. The lubricant, for example magnesium stearate, is preferably prescreened before mixing with a 800 to 900 μm sieve.

Alternatively, a wet granulation step is used. In this embodiment, the S1P receptor agonist is preferably first dry blended with the desired sugar alcohol, for example mannitol, and the resulting sugar alcohol / S1P receptor agonist mixture is then dry blended with a binder, such as hydroxypropyl cellulose or hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose. Then water is added and the mixture is granulated, for example by means of an automated granulator. The granulation is then dried and ground.

If necessary, an additional amount of binder may be added in step (c) to the mixture obtained in (b). • · · · 15 φ • ·

The method may further comprise a further step of tableting or encapsulating the mixture obtained in (c), for example, into hard gelatin capsules by means of an automated encapsulation device. The capsules can be colored or marked to give them an individual look and make them instantly recognizable. The use of dyes can serve to improve the appearance as well as to identify the capsules. Dyes typical for use in pharmacy include carotenoids, iron oxides and chlorophyll. Preferably, the capsules according to the invention are marketed by means of a code.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention are useful either alone or in combination with other agents for the treatment and prevention of conditions as described, for example, in US 5,604,229 A, WO 97/24112 A, WO 01/01978 A, US 6,004 565 A, US 6 274 629 A and JP 14316985 A, the contents of which are hereby introduced.

In particular, the pharmaceutical compositions are useful for: a) treatment and prevention of organ or tissue graft rejection, for example, for treatment of graft recipients such as heart, lung, heart and lung in combination, liver, kidney, pancreas, skin or cornea, and prevention Graft-versus-host disease, as sometimes occurs after bone marrow transplantation, particularly for the treatment of acute or chronic allograft and xenograft rejection, or for the transplantation of insulin-producing cells, such as pancreatic islets. b) Treatment and prevention of autoimmune disease or inflammatory Conditions, for example, multiple sclerosis, arthritis (for example, rheumatoid arthritis), inflammatory bowel disease, hepatitis, etc. c) treatment and prevention of viral myocarditis and viral diseases caused by viral myocarditis, including hepatitis and AIDS.

In a further aspect, the invention provides: 1. A composition as defined above for use in the treatment or prevention of a disease or condition as defined above. 2. A method of treating a patient in need of immunomodulation who Administering to the patient an effective amount of a composition as defined above. # ··············································································································································································· * a disease or condition as defined above comprising administering to the patient a composition as defined above. Use of a pharmaceutical composition as defined above for the manufacture of a medicament for the prevention or treatment of a disease or condition as defined above.

The invention will now be described with reference to the following specific embodiments.

example 1

The micronized Compound A, for example, 2-amino-2- [2- (4-octylphenyl) ethyl] -pro-pan-1,3-diol hydrochloride salt (FTY720) is sieved and 116.7 g of the sieved compound is added 9683.3 g Mannitol mixed (Partek M200 by E. Merck). The mixture is then sieved in a Frewitt MGI device (Key International Inc. USA) using a 30 mesh sieve. Magnesium stearate is screened through a 20 mesh sieve and 200 grams of the sieved compound are mixed with the FTY720 7 mannitol mixture to form a product composition.

The product composition is then compressed on a tablet press using a 7 mm punch to form 120 mg tablets, each containing:

Compound A, for example FTY720 * 1.4 mg Mannitol M200 116.2 mg Magnesium stearate 2.4 mg Total 120 mg * 1 mg of Compound A in free form, corresponds to 1.12 mg of FTY720.

Example 2

In another example, the procedure of Example 1 is repeated except that the magnesium stearate is replaced with Cutina® (hydrogenated castor oil).

Example 3

Compound A, for example FTY720 and mannitol (Parteck M200 from E. Merck) are each screened separately with an 18 mesh sieve. 1.9 g of sieved FTY720 is mixed with 40 g of sieved mannitol for 120 revolutions in a 32 rpm mixer. The FTY720 / mannitol mixture is then sieved through a 35 mesh sieve. ·· ·· ♦ · # Μ. ·, Φ

The screened FTY720 / mannitol mixture is placed in a granulator together with another 340.1 g of mannitol and 12 g of hydroxypropylcellulose. The mixture is mixed for 3 minutes. Then water is added at a rate of 100 ml per minute and the mixture is granulated for 2 minutes. The granulation is placed in a tray dryer and dried at 50 ° C for 150 minutes.

The mixture is then milled in a Frewitt MGI device using a 35 mesh sieve. Magnesium stearate is sieved and 6 g of the sieved compound is mixed for 90 revolutions at 32 rpm with the FTY 720 / mannitol mixture to give a product composition showing a substantially uniform distribution of the S1P receptor agonist with the mannitol in the mixture.

The product composition is then placed in hard gelatin shells of size 3 on a Hoflinger &amp; Karg 400 encapsulation device filled. 120 mg of the product composition is added to each capsule. Therefore each capsule contains: FTY720 * 0.56 mg Mannitol M200 114.04 mg Hydroxypropylcellulose 3.6 mg Magnesium Stearate 1.8 mg Total 120 mg

Example 4

In another example, the procedure of Example 3 is repeated except that the magnesium stearate is replaced with Cutina® (hydrogenated castor oil).

Example 5

In another example, the procedure of Example 3 is repeated, except that the hydroxypropylcellulose is replaced by hydroxypropylmethylcellulose.

Example 6a

Micronized compound A, for example FTY720, is sieved by means of a 400 mesh (40 mesh) sieve. 58.35 g of the sieved compound is mixed with 4841.65 g of mannitol (Partek M200 from E. Merck) in a 25 liter Bohle two-component mixer for 240 mixing turns. The mixture is then ground in a Frewitt MGI apparatus by means of a 400 micron sieve and then the ground mixture is mixed again. The magnesium stearate is screened and 100 g of the sieved compound are mixed with the FTY720 / mannitol mixture to form a product composition which exhibits a substantially uniform distribution of the S1P receptor agonist with the mannitol in the mixture. · + ·· ···· &gt; ·······························································

• t I ¢ 8

The product composition is then placed in size 3 hard gelatin capsules on a Hoflinger &amp; Karg 400 encapsulation device filled. 120 mg of the product composition is added to each capsule. Therefore, each capsule contains: FTY720 * 1.4 mg Mannitol M200 116.2 mg Magnesium Stearate 2.4 mg Total 120 mg

Example 6b

In an alternative embodiment, capsules are prepared by means of the components and amounts as described in Example 6a, but the FTY720 is first mixed with 14 mg of mannitol (before sieving). This mixture is then sieved as described above. The sieved mixture is then mixed with the remaining mannitol and the magnesium stearate added followed by additional mixing and filling into the capsules.

Examples 7 and 8

In further examples, the capsules are prepared as described in Example 6 except that each capsule contains the following components in the following amounts:

Example 7 Example 8 FTY720 * 2.8 mg 5.6 mg Mannitol M200 114.8 mg 112 mg Magnesium Stearate 2.4 mg Total 2.4 mg 120 mg 120 mg

Example 9 to 11

In other examples, the capsules are prepared as described in Examples 6-8, except that the magnesium stearate is replaced by Cutina® (hydrogenated castor oil).

Example 12 to 22

In further examples, capsules or tablets are prepared as described in Examples 1-11 except that FTY720 is replaced by 2-amino-2- {2- [4- (1-oxo-5-phenylpentyl) phenyl] ethyl} propane-1 , 3-diol hydrochloride is replaced. ····················· ······

Examples 23 and 24

Capsules containing the following ingredients are prepared by weighing each component and mixing in a mortar and then filling into capsules:

Example 23 Example 24 FTY720 5 mg 1 mg D-mannitol 83.7 mg 117 mg corn starch 24 mg Avicel® PH101 12 mg hydroxypropylcellulose 0.3 mg 7 mg talc 3 mg 3 mg Lubri wax 101 101 mg 2 mg total 130 mg 130 mg

Examples 25 to 27

Pharmaceutical compositions containing the following ingredients are prepared:

Example 25 Example 26 Example 27 FTY720 5g 10g 100g D-Mannitol 991g 986g 897g Methylcellulose SM-25 4g 4g 3g Total 1000g 1000g 1000g

The FTV720 and a portion of the D-mannitol, which is twice the weight of the FTY720, are mixed in a Microspeed Mixer MS-5 type (Palmer, USA) for 2 minutes at 1200 rpm. The remaining D-mannitol is added to the mixture and mixed for a further 2 minutes. 80 or 60 milliliters of 5% methylcellulose SM-25 solution are provided from a hopper and granulated under the same conditions. The mixture is extruded through a 0.4 mm orifice screen by means of an RG-5 type extruder. The extruded material is dried at 65 ° C by a STREA Type I fluidized bed granulator (Patheon, Cana-da) and then sieved through a 24 mesh sieve. Fine particles passing through a 60 mesh screen are removed. The resulting fine granules are filled into capsules by a Zu-ma capsule filling machine (100 mg per capsule).

··· ♦ · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

Examples 28 to 31 **

Tablets containing the following ingredients (in mg) are prepared:

Example 28 Example 29 Example 30 Example 31 FTY720 1 1 1 1 D-mannitol 62.3 62.3 62.0 62.0 xylitol * 26.7 (5.4) 26.7 (5.4) 26.6 26 , 6 Methylcellulose - - 0.4 0.4 Microcrystalline cellulose 24.0 24.0 Low substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose 24.0 24.0 Hydrogenated oil 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 Total 120.0 120.0 120.0 120.0 * The amount of xylitol indicated in Klammem is used as the binder FTY720, D-mannitol and xylitol are placed in a fluid bed granulator (model MP-01, Powrex), mixed for 5 minutes and sprayed with the binder solution granulated, followed by drying until the temperature reaches 40eC. The granulation conditions are shown below. Dried powder is passed through a 24 mesh sieve, added to the indicated amount of filler and lubricant and placed in a mixer (WAB) for three minutes to complete the powder for compression.

The resulting powder is passed through a tableting machine (Cleanpress Correct 12 HUK, Kikushui Seisakusho) with a 7 mm i.D. x 7.5 mm R with a compressive force of 9800 N compressed.

granulation:

Item Setting Loading amount 1170 g Volume of inflowing air 50 m3 / min Temperature of inflowing air 75 ° C Flow rate of spray solution 15 ml / min Spraying air pressure 15 N / cm2 Spraying air volume 30 l / min Volume of binder solution 351 ml ·····

• · · · · * »1 • · · · ZI

Examples 32 to 39 ► · · · φ ·· ·· ···

Tablets containing the following ingredients (in mg) are prepared:

Ex. 32 Ex. 33 Ex. 34 Ex. 35 Ex. 36 Ex. 37 Ex. 38 Ex. 39 FTY720 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 D-Mannitol 116.6 114.2 104.6 114.2 104, 6 116,6 115,4 113 magnesium stearate 2,4 2,4 2,4 2,4 2,4 - - - glycine HCl - 2,4 12 - - - - - sodium bicarbonate - - - 2,4 12 - - - Zinc stearate - - - - - 2,4 - - Silicone fluid - - - - - - 3,6 - Mineral oil - - - - - - - 6 Total 120,0 120,0 120,0 120,0 120,0 120,0 120.0 120.0

Claims (10)

♦ ··· ·· · · · ♦ · · · ··· ♦ · · ♦ ························································································ Claims 1. A solid pharmaceutical composition suitable for oral administration comprising an S1P receptor agonist which is a compound of formula IX, Wherein R1f is halogen, trihalomethyl, hydroxy, lower alkyl of 1 to 7 carbon atoms, phenyl, aralkyl, lower alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, trifluoromethyloxy, substituted or unsubstituted phenoxy, cyclohexylmethyloxy, substituted or unsubstituted aralkyloxy, pyridylmethyloxy, cinnamyloxy, naphthylmethyloxy, phenoxyme -ethyl, hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl, lower alkylthio of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, lower alkylsulfinyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, lower alkylsulfonyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, benzylthio, acetyl, nitro or cyano; Rff is hydrogen, halogen, trihalomethyl, lower alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, lower alkyl of 1 to 7 carbon atoms, phenethyl or benzyloxy; Ra is hydrogen, halogen, trifluoromethyl, lower alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, hydroxy, benzyloxy, lower alkyl of 1 to 7 carbon atoms, phenyl or lower alkoxymethyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms; Xf is S, SO or SO2; nf is an integer from 1 to 4 and R4f and R5f are each independently H or a group of the formula ORaf O is OR * wherein R 1 and R 9f are independently H or C 1-4 alkyl optionally substituted with halogen; ···· ························································································································································································································ eg 2-amino-2- [4- (3-benzyloxyphenoxy) -2-chlorophenyl] propyl-1,3-propanediol or 2-amino-2- [4- (benzyloxyphenylthio) -2-chlorophenyl] propyl-1, 3-propanediol, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, characterized in that the composition comprises a sugar alcohol. 2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the sugar alcohol comprises mannitol. A composition according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a lubricant. 4. The composition of claim 3, wherein the lubricant comprises magnesium stearate A composition according to any one of the preceding claims comprising from 0.5% to 5% by weight of the S1P receptor agonist. 6. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims comprising 90 to 99.5% by weight of the sugar alcohol. A composition according to claim 3 or 4, which comprises 1.5 to 2.5% by weight of the lubricant. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the S1P receptor antagonist is micronized. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the S1P receptor antagonist is prescreened with one having a sieve with a mesh size of 400 to 500 μm. 10. The composition according to any one of the preceding claims in the form of a tablet or capsule. Vienna, 8 May 2008 Registration Puchl : en by:: ner